I am not a novice with Social Media, dipping my fingers in various pots; even so, there are still many, many more pots waiting to be stirred. I’m also not a novice in regards to the arts and arts education.

I received the following from a FB acquaintance (thank you Susan Shatz), and knew I had to pass this on:

There are many people who live, breathe, eat, sleep, etc. The Arts (capital letters on purpose) but don’t have the exposure or professional gravitas which would give them the recognition that they deserve. They may be young in age, or “still new” in their respective turn at this part of their career. In Barry’s words:

Regular followers of this blog know that late every August I publish a list of the Most Powerful and Influential Leaders in the Nonprofit Arts. Most people understand that the list isn’t meritocracy based; it isn’t based on specific achievement or accomplishment per se; it doesn’t purport to necessarily identify the “best and brightest”, rather it merely identifies who has power and influence.

There has been some past comment that unfortunately the list excludes a whole cohort of serious thinkers – a group of younger (not necessarily chronologically younger) leaders omitted because their careers have not been long enough for them to develop the requisite power and influence the Most Powerful list embodies, and that there ought to be some mechanism that gives this cohort of leaders a voice and some recognition. They are, after all, our future.

If you are interested/concerned about the state of the arts and nonprofit arts, I strongly suggest that you click HERE for the full blog entry. I know I’ll be giving this some serious thought.

Opening up dialogue with new thinkers, the ones who are doing the work, who resist hearing & living “we’ve always done it this way”…this is one way to acknowledge those who might seem behind the scenes but need to have a more national, if not international voice.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

About Barry: Former Director of the California Arts Council; President of the California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies; Executive Director LINES Ballet. Author (Hardball Lobbying for Nonprofits – MacMillan & Co.; Youth Involvement in the Arts – 2 phase study for the Hewlett Foundation; Local Arts Agency Funding Study for the Aspen Institute; City Arts Toolkit), consultant, public speaker. Barry’s Blog is a service of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF). The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of WESTAF.

Is There Creativity in Education?

Since the middle of October, I’ve been asking people across arts disciplines and other careers to answer a few basic questions about creativity in their lives, how they use it, how it impacts them and/or others.

Only a few educators answered my call.

Now, the easy answer is that creativity is being deleted from many schools. Many Arts-in-Education programs are being terminated; new ones are rarely appearing. Arts organizations are scrambling for grants as the schools are losing the fundings they’ve had to bring in Teaching Artists.

I don’t believe that the only creativity comes from the Arts classes: theater, music, dance and fine arts. I feel that a good teacher finds creative moments daily, when the student surprises them in a positive or negative way. Finding learning moments, working around the boundaries that seem to hamstring some, how they find creative life outside of the classroom and use it…I’m only touching the topic here.

So…why have so few educators answered my call?

Busy? Sure, I do understand being busy. There are times I’ve got so much on my plate it IS overwhelming. Forgetting? Oh yeah, that happens too. Life happens. I get it. (BTW: I asked for 300-600 word essay; this post is 319 words and took me a half hour: just saying)

Now that schools are coming to a close for the holiday break, I do hope to see some of the guest posts promised and maybe a few unexpected ones, not just from people in the arts but outside of it, who find creativity in their lives, whether it’s in their career or daily life outside of “work.”

Personally, I feel there is a LOT of creativity in Education, and it extends far beyond a classroom. Learning happens far beyond a school setting, and it should be life long. I know I search for new things.

There is a great deal of concern and hand wringing over saving the arts. Recently, the Westchester County Arts Council sent out a plea for us to write to our congressmen about major cuts to the arts. I did is they asked, knowing that in even the smallest way our voices have to be heard.

I got an answer back not from the congressmen but from his assistant. there was a lot of blame and finger-pointing in this letter, it still talking how great Westchester County is in comparison to other locations. I will copy and post her letter, but before I do: I have something to say. Yes, big surprise.

With all the talk about saving the parts one very important component seems to be forgotten:

WHAT ABOUT THE ARTIST?

I am a performing and teaching ARTIST. I make my primary living from working in the Arts. My discipline is Theater/Drama, Storytelling and Creative Writing. I do not create “lasting” art in Fine Arts, but I DO perform a service in the Performing Arts.

When you cut the funding for the arts, you are not just cutting out a sculpture or a painting, or a dance or theater piece, or a choral work, you are taking money out of reach of PEOPLE who are trying to pay their bills and survive. by making these budget cuts to save organizations, you are also then putting more people on unemployment. This fall, I have been unable to find a job, mainly because in my field there’s much less work. There are also more people out looking for any work, so even jobs that I could fit into are inundated by other people looking for work.

Where would we be without ones like Van Gogh?

Is it just me, or does this just not make any sense? A good friend of mine has put it very simply: at this point in time, if everyone across the board and that means the big boys in the middle management boys played fairly, more people to keep their jobs. It’s part of what I’ve been saying in that we need creative solutions and problem solving in place of the reactionaries.

I do not want to be on unemployment. I want to work. I feel there are ways that more people can work and keep their jobs. Today on the news from NPR I heard that more than 28,000 postal workers will be laid off soon. What jobs will they be able to get to support their families?

It’s very easy to cast blame and point fingers. As a country, we seem to excel at that.

Wouldn’t we be better off if we were creative problem solvers?

As stated above, here is the letter I got today:

Thank you for writing to County Executive Robert P. Astorino regarding funding for the arts.

Please be assured that Mr. Astorino has read your message and he has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.

The county executive understands and appreciates your concern for the arts. While developing the proposed 2012 county budget, Mr. Astorino and his administration have given the arts the same consideration accorded to every program, service, agency and facility supported by county government.

As you know all too well, this is a very challenging economy. There is a critical need to balance a $114 million county budget deficit with a responsibility to provide essential services and property tax relief, protect Westchester’s neediest residents, promote structural financial reform and reduce government spending at all levels. One of the major roadblocks to maintaining the funding level for Arts Westchester and many other worthwhile programs and services, is the failure of the public employee unions to agree to make a reasonable contribution to their healthcare premiums. Westchester County’s union employees are one of the few groups left in the nation that contribute nothing to their healthcare costs. This ever-increasing financial burden necessitates reductions in other portions of the county budget. The county executive, since taking office two years ago, has attempted to get county workers to agree to the same level of healthcare contributions state workers make. While there is a reduction in the allocation to arts programs, the County Executive’s proposed budget includes funding for the arts at $750,000. This action is in no way a reflection on the outstanding quality of exhibits and performances presented by the arts community nor the talents and efforts of all who labor to bring these offerings to fruition. It is instead, a part of many across-the-board measures which must be taken during these difficult times.

Your views and those of all who live and work in Westchester are very important to the county executive. Your input is both welcome and valued.

Again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Janet Lokay Assistant to the County Executive 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601(914) 995-2127

Here was my response to Ms. Lokay:

Hi…it’s not just the exhibits and performances.

You forget a very essential part: the artist has to live, pay bills, and be part of the economic structure. By cutting the arts, it’s not just the end product but the people who live through the process. Two very different things.

I am a Teaching Artist and a performing artist. My entire life is creative and my livelihood depends on schools, libraries, community centers and more have funds to hire me and others like me. I live for the educational process that is part of the learning process…and it does not seem politicians realize this.

Schools may not hire a full time Theater Teacher anymore (I have my NYS Certification in Theater), but they SHOULD hire me as a consultant, which is what a TA (teaching artist) really is. I integrate my work into the school core curricula, and it enhances, not wastes, the teachers’ lessons.

I would love to have a conversation about this. Yes, many of us produce art that is seen; there are many more of us who produce art that is part of the educational process, for ALL ages, and we’re hurting, trying to make a living.

My thing: instead of telling me why something isn’t working, why are we not doing problem solving around the negatives out there. I’d rather know what has been attempted, or will be, instead of what is not working. I work a lot with my students, when I get them, on problem solving.

I’m serious about talking with Mr. Astorino.

She gave me her phone number. If I don’t hear from them, and if you know me at all, they will hear from me. I will let you know what happens next. I’m tired of the excuses. Let’s get off of unemployment

“We look at parents as partners. We’re partners in working towards their kids’ success. The last thing we want to do is to get in this adversarial relationship, but when you’ve exhausted every available option, there must be some bottom line, and there must be some point where you say you must obey the law.”

Education of and for the children is 24/7, 365 days a year. Period. It does not happen solely in the school building, or whatever “institution of education” you subscribe to. If a parent is NOT involved, then they are not doing their job. It’s a shame so many have to work with hardships (financial; little to no familial support; etc). I do empathize. BUT…once you’ve brought a child onto this planet, YOU have a commitment that has to override everything else: take care of the kid, show him/her discipline, focus, love, and leading a proper path (which to me is do no harm to yourself or others, and work to the best of your abilities..and then go one step more).

When you baby your babies, you are doing them harm. When you force the school systems to baby your babies, you are really doing them harm. When you support your child’s laziness and bad habits, you are doing them harm. When you threaten but do not follow through with ANY type of consequence, you are doing them harm. When you reward your baby for doing what they are supposed to do, you are doing them harm. When you create an adversarial relationship with your partner-THE SCHOOL & TEACHERS ARE YOUR PARTNER-, you are doing a tremendous amount of harm.

If you don’t see any of the above as actual problems in your parenting style, then you are REALLY doing them, your babies, your children, your charges, your wards, your life… harm.

There are many parents to applaud. I do really believe that, with everything I write. I also believe that there are many teachers, administrators and school systems that are applaud worthy. I do. They need the press MORE than the negative ones that make me and others like me vent.

We should Celebrate more then rehash our venting, so…

I HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF YOU:

Write a paragraph or so and send it to me about an AMAZING parent/teacher partnership; an amazing parent/school partnership; ANY outstanding Parent/Education partnership.

I really want to write about these things and post them, especially as we are soon ready to enter the new school year.

Let US know. Send me that email and YOUR story, or another, will become it’s own posting.

Yesterday’s posting (link above) began my discussion on what I feel needs to be done to help our students and our struggling school structure. Not everything is broken, and there are many amazing teachers, school admin and school communities. On the flip side, there are a lot of things that need shoring up, some complete reforms and overhauls, and more investment in monies and support around the country, on all levels. ALL levels.

There are a variety of reasons that people don’t think arts have any importance in schools. Many do not see it as something to assess (especially drama, which does not always produce a tactile resource for displays, outside of photos or video). There is a gross misconception that the arts have little to no crossover applications to core curricula. The goal of arts in schools is not wasting time, or, as one “teacher” once said to me: “What are you going on about?(Theater)..You are nothing but a prep period to us!”. That individual’s statement is how I feel many see the arts: it’s wasting time, nothing of any real value.

Of course, I disagree. I never look at what I teach about working only to make the next Broadway or Movie STAR. In all honesty, that has to come totally from the kid. They have to want it, need it, breath it, live it. What I DO see in the importance of teaching the arts reaches into not only the core curriculum but also many life lessons.

Literacy, a major focus in schools, is deeply inherent in Drama, as well as studies in the other art disciplines. Math gets support in Dance and Music (counting beats; ability to modify and work within a structure) and Fine Arts (measures, construction, dimensions, perspective). History is approached in all the arts, not only of the art form but also of how it fits into the Socio/Economic/Political structure of the time period. I’ve only listed a few things that the arts already incorporate into the school community. I’m hoping more Arts people will chime in and add more in the comments.

Beyond that, the arts help in these life skills: presentation ability; research; critical thinking; problem solving; creative thought and creative voice expression; ensemble/team building; communication (listening and speaking); writing/notation; observation skills; focusing and following directions; inquiry; increasing vocabulary; making connections with studies and community; self confidence; and more. Are these skills things you can use in your life, work as well as personal? Of course. Can you find these things in the main school structure? Yes, but in the arts, these things are an extremely important component that is done daily, not when it fits into the curriculum map to teach it.

The above link is to a half hour audio portion of a radio show I happened to catch as it aired. I think it’s important to the subject above. He is speaking to Sharon Dunn, who at that time was the Executive Director of the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, as well to those who called in. If you have a half hour, I do suggest you listen.

I will be posting more links in the week ahead, and I WILL look for opposing viewpoints. You do need to make up your own mind on subjects like these, and it’s best if you have a balanced opinion. If I did not believe that I would not make the statement.

What are YOUR thoughts on Arts working with the Core Subjects? What other learning points do you feel the Arts have to offer?Do you feel differently? Why?

This is not for an argument or name calling, but to create dialogue and thought. Please be respectful to any and all comments.

I was just asked to work with some High School students in their ongoing development into forming a literacy club. The City of White Plains Youth Bureau, which is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary, has the goal is to develop and embody the skills and tools to become good citizens and to foster positive leadership skills. The literacy club is, from my understanding, plans to work with High School students to approach general presentation skills and to unleash their own creative voices through different literacy mediums, one of which they are drawn to is Digital Storytelling.

Storytelling started with grunts, gestures and wall paintings in caves (as far as we know). Stories grew into music and dance (the Hula is still an example of that), and once languages began, you couldn’t stop stories from spreading. Sitting around the fire at night, what better way then to tell of the day’s hunt, the danger, the outcomes.

Digital Storytelling is the new buzz term for something that has been around for awhile now. We’ve had sequential storytelling in many forms: Comic Books, which started around the turn of the 20th century, is storytelling (and I’ll defend that with all I have. I know many naysayers on that topic); Kamishabai, a traditional Japanese form, uses story cards, in sequence to tell and show the story; Storyboards for film and animation worked it’s way, in my opinion, into PowerPoint presentations; Documentaries uses storytelling through still photos, recordings of music or actual footage, and voice overs to lead the narrative along.

In today’s world of emails, IM’s and texting, a lot of the oral traditions get pushed aside. How many people do you know who would much rather text you then talk to you on the phone? My hope is that the students will gain more then an understanding of using another technology only as another distancing tool. Planning out any means of expressing their inner story IS very important, and the journey they take into social engagement. I’ll let you know how it goes.

1. One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.

2. A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill: You are an artist in the kitchen.

3. One, such as an actor or singer, who works in the performing arts.

4. One who is adept at an activity, especially one involving trickery or deceit: a con artist.

So, by definition(by way of the online Free Dictionary), I am #3 above, and #1 and also #2. Sometimes I think it would be fun sometimes to be Harold Hill, that sometimes lovable rogue whose heart gets the better of him and he finds true love in the arms of a lovely librarian. Ahhh…prim and proper Marion. Umm…ok..I digress…

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day about just this: she knew a Fine Arts artist who felt that ONLY Artists are ARTISTS, and how dare anyone one else (his words, from what was retold) call themselves artists. This, again, goes back to a number of points I’ve made along the way here: this exclusionary, self defeating attitude that has kept the arts and different genres within the same discipline to have such divisions become not only the why they define themselves but also exclude the others.

No wonder the arts are so easy to attack. We have national arts orgs, but really…WE are not organized in the least, or not until the big attack comes. THEN we band together (maybe)…and when we relax and go back to our comfort zones, they still go after us. And the Arts lose. Big time.

Being an Artist is year round if it really is our life’s work. It’s not the only is December there should be “Joy To The World & Peace To All Men” (yeah, a pet peeve of mine. Those sentiments, and the happy smiles and graciousness to each other should be every day of the year, 24/7!) only when it fits mode.

Banding together and supporting each other should be year round. Fighting the good fight should be year round.

I’m an ARTIST. I’m an Arts Advocate. I work in Theater, Theater Education, Storytelling, Puppeteer, Writer (playwright & stories & poetry), I sing (poorly now, but I sing), Choreograph dance and some stage combat, write song lyrics & devise music, and as to working in fine arts: I doodle real well.